Thomas Jefferson High School alumni selected for Microsoft internship

Congratulations to 2019 Thomas Jefferson High School alumni Praises Orji who for the second year was selected for a paid summer internship at Microsoft. 

During this internship Praises served on the App Center Azure team which helps organizations with cloud services. Internships like these are available and directly align with goal 5 of our strategic plan: persistence to graduation — high school graduation through successful transitions.

Praises is a Class of 2019 graduate and will be attending University of Washington to pursue a degree in computer science of informatics. Her family accepted the award on her behalf.

Congratulations, we are so proud of you!

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Scholars participate in Youth Safety Academy

This summer some of our scholars attended the Youth Safety Academy offered by the Federal Way Police Department and South King Fire and Rescue.

We would like to recognize the scholars that participated in the academy and our local fire and law enforcement partners who helped put on the academy. 

• Commander Tracy Grossnickle, Federal Way Police Department
• Captain Jeff Bellinghausen, South King Fire & Rescue

Scholars learned what a career in law enforcement looks like from the Federal Way Police Department. They learned how to spray water from a fire hose, use the jaws of life and operate a 105-foot ladder from South King Fire & Rescue.

Thank you to our community partners who extended this valuable career learning opportunity for our scholars which supports goal 5 of our strategic plan, persistence to graduation.
 

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Thomas Jefferson Scholar competes at national speech and debate competition

The Thomas Jefferson High School speech and debate team recently competed at the national speech and debate competition in Dallas, Texas. There are approximately 150,000 national speech and debate members in the nation and abroad.

Scholar Allen Benjamin Tugade was one of the top 60 in the nation to place in oral interpretation. Allen became the second individual event competitor ever from Thomas Jefferson to place in a main event.

We'd like to recognize Allen Benjamin Tugade, speech and debate coach Andrew Buchan and assistant coaches Meykia Smith and Isaiah Parker.

These achievements are in direct support of district strategic plan goal 3 — engaged, empowered, critical thinkers.

We are proud of you!

 

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 Thomas Jefferson High School graduate speaks at Microsoft Global Inspire Conference

Congratulations to 2019 Thomas Jefferson High School graduate Marcella Huang for being selected from a group of over 30,000 global Digigirlz alumni to speak at the 2019 Microsoft Global Inspire Conference.

Marcella spoke to over 1,500 global Microsoft teams from 150 countries about supporting programs like Digigirlz that provide opportunities for diverse girls to gain confidence and skills to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. She shared taking a computer science class at Thomas Jefferson High School and participating in Digigirlz supported her being where she’s at today.

This is in support of goal 5 of our strategic plan: persistence to graduation — high school graduation through successful transitions.

Marcella is a Class of 2019 graduate and will attend the University of Washington to earn her bachelor’s in computer science.

Congratulations, we’re proud of you!

  

Federal Way High School boys’ track and field athletes placed at the state tournament

Federal Way High School boys’ track and field athletes placed at the state tournament! This effort is in support of Goal 3 of our strategic plan, active learners: engaged, empowered, critical thinkers.

The 100 meter boys relay team placed third in state. We would like to recognize the following students:

• Marcus Eubanks - Marcus also placed second in the 300-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash
• Anthony Frazier
• Alphonso Williams

Other administrators including coaches Quinn Gillis and Chris Williams are being recognized as well.

Congratulations on these great accomplishments!

 

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Camelot Elementary School has been recognized by the King County Green Schools Program

Camelot Elementary School has been recognized by the King County Green Schools Program for their participation during the 2018-19 school year!

Camelot worked to reduce waste, increase recycling, and conserve natural resources, engaging both students and staff in learning about and practicing resource conservation. 

We would like to recognize the Green Knight scholars.

We would also like to recognize the following Camelot representatives:

• Andre Koch (incoming principal), Joe Kosty (outgoing principal) 
• Gina Cory, Camelot green school lead
• Darcy Borg, Camelot green school lead

We are proud of Camelot’s work to encourage our scholars to become thriving, confident, responsible individuals, which is Goal 2 of our strategic plan.

 

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Soroptimist International Club of Federal Way honors Federal Way High School scholar

We are grateful to the Soroptimist International Club of Federal Way who works to transform the lives of women and girls through programs and awards focused on social and economic empowerment.

For the first time, this year the club honored a Federal Way High School scholar, Kyoto Hall, with the Soroptimist Nellie Fleming Award and a $500 scholarship for making a difference in the community through volunteer efforts. 

We would like to recognize soroptimist Katrina Minton-Davis and other members.

Schools can’t do it alone, and we appreciate the positive impact the Soroptimists have on scholars to support them being thriving, confident, responsible individuals, which is Goal 2 of our strategic plan!

 

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Rotary Club of Federal Way continues to support scholars’ post-secondary pursuits

We are grateful for the Rotary Club of Federal Way’s continued support of our scholars’ post-secondary pursuits.  Each year, Rotary provides scholarships for our Federal Way Public Schools scholars. This year, they donated $25,000 in scholarships to 23 students.

We would like to recognize scholarship committee members Bob McKenzie, Cindy Ducich and Jodi Robinson-Cody and other members from the Rotary Club.

Schools can’t do it alone, and we appreciate the Rotary’s commitment to our scholars! Efforts like these support our strategic plan Goal 5: persistence to graduation.

 

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Federal Way Lions Club has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to Federal Way students

Since its inception over 50 years ago, the Federal Way Lions Club has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to Federal Way students. The Lions Club presented 10 scholarships to our 2018–19 seniors totaling $9,500 to help fund college expenses including books and class fees.

We would like to recognize Lions Club president Roger Hershey and other members from the Club.

We appreciate the Lion’s commitment to our scholars! Efforts like these support our strategic plan Goal 5: persistence to graduation.

 

 

Thank you, to Jamie and Logan for their service as Scholar Representatives to the Board

In Federal Way Public Schools, incorporating student voice is central to informing the work of serving our 23,000 scholars.

Students from the Scholar Advisory to the Superintendent team presented a recommendation and outlined the application and selection process for Scholar Representatives to the Board. 

The purpose of scholar representatives’ participation at board meetings is to provide valuable input on school district operations.

At the beginning of the school year an interview team selected Jamie Appleton and Logan Fraser who served as Scholar Representatives to the Board for the 2018-19 school year.

We would like to acknowledge and thank them for their service. While Jamie could not be here today, we welcome Logan Fraser to come forward to be recognized.

This effort is in support of district strategic plan Goal 2: thriving, confident, responsible individuals.

 Thank you for your leadership!

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Federal Way High School Scholar was chosen for Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 2019 Smart Choices Scholarship

Congratulations to Federal Way High School scholar Zach Victor who was chosen out of a thousand applicants for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 2019 Smart Choices Scholarship of $5,000! Victor has enrolled in Washington State University with plans to major in mechanical engineering. The scholarship will apply towards his education.

This scholarship recognizes Zach’s success in athletics, music and his community including 12 varsity letters, being a musician in the school’s orchestra and holding the position of Vice President for the National Honor Society.

This effort is in support of Goal 4, content area competence: mastery of all subjects. Congratulations!

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Elementary track and field program championship meet

Did you know the elementary track and field program consists of approximately 1,900 scholars from 23 schools led by 53 coaches? This well-loved program recently held its championship meet. These scholar athletes are engaged, empowered, active learners which is part of the district strategic plan Goal 3.

We would like to honor the top performing girls and boys who placed first through third out of approximately 330 participants. 

• Natalie Vega Montero 
• Uwany Suazo 
• Taraji Greer
• Mei'Lani Paige 
• Claire Kaspersen
• Amariah Moore 
• Jasmin Kane
• Persia Moore
• Marina Velasco Bono
• Cooper Kelly
• Jayden Hitchcock
• Terrell Jackson
• Dave Ngueita
• Herman Bokonzi
• Alexander Tollefson
• Damari Singletary
• James Okonda
• Vitaliy Tishchenko

Would Barb Tight, who helps coordinate elementary track, and other coaches and administrators come forward now for the photo?

We are so proud of our scholar-athletes!

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Top performing scholar-athletes in the Special Olympics State Tournament

Our scholar-athletes who recently participated in the Special Olympics State Tournament did great! These scholar-athletes are engaged, empowered, active learners that is part of the district strategic plan Goal 3. 

 We would like to honor the top performing girls and boys who placed first through third. For those that are in attendance please come forward now. The following individuals who placed include:

• Jalen Black
• Tevin Boyd
• Rachael Cho
• Deanna Clarke
• Katelyn Droguett 
• Jayson Fox
• Daniel Jenisch 
• Fallon Munzanreder 
• William Schumacher 
• Zac Siggins
• Leland Toro-Mondragon 
• Malachi Allen 
• Levi Droguett
• Asher Kvenvolden
• Christopher Kvenvolden
• Laela Mondragon

Would Sharon Boyle, Federal Way Public Schools Special Olympics/Unified Athletic Coordinator please come forward to accept the certificates on behalf of all the scholar-athletes?

We are so proud of you for these achievements!

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High school graduates receive the Seal of Bilteracy

The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who have demonstrated high levels of proficiency (reading, writing, and speaking) in one or more languages in addition to high levels of proficiency in English.

We honored half of the group that earned the Seal at the last board meeting, and today we are honoring the other half of those students.

Would Federal Way High School, Todd Beamer High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, TAF@Saghalie and Federal Way Open Doors scholars please come forward to be recognized?

The number of students that are biliterate is a key measure of progress in Goal 4 of our strategic plan, content area competence, and we are proud of each of you for your outstanding achievement!

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Thomas Jefferson High School's girls tennis team wins Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 4A state championship 

Congratulations to the Thomas Jefferson High School girls tennis team for winning the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 4A state championship for the first time in the school’s history!

We would like to recognize team members Ally Peterson, Nancy Cabanas and Mia Rosa.

We welcome head coach Andrew Buchan and administrators to come forward at this time.

These accomplishments demonstrate the efforts of our scholar-athletes to be active learners: engaged, empowered, critical thinkers, Goal 3 of our strategic plan.

Congratulations!

The Federal Way High School and Todd Beamer High School Reserve Officers’ Training Corps earned the Distinguished Unit Award 

The Federal Way High School and Todd Beamer High School Reserve Officers’ Training Corps have earned the Distinguished Unit Award for the 2018–19 school year.

This award recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of the cadets, instructors and mentors and the support of the school and local community. These units represent the best of the 900 ROTC units worldwide.

We welcome Federal Way High School Sergeant Will' Smith, Major J.J. Golemboski, the Federal Way High School cadets and Todd Beamer High School Sergeant Wayne Lott, Major Barry Jones and the Todd Beamer High School cadets to come forward to be recognized. We also invite other administrators to come forward too.

These efforts support Goal 3 of the strategic plan: engaged, empowered, critical thinkers. Congratulations! Keep making a positive impact on your school and the community!

 

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High school students receive the Seal of Biliteracy 

The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who have demonstrated high levels of proficiency (reading, writing, and speaking) in one or more languages in addition to high levels of proficiency in English.

Today, we are honoring half the group of those students who earned the Seal and will be honoring the remaining students at the next board meeting.
Would Decatur High School and Thomas Jefferson High School scholars please come forward to be recognized?

The number of students that are biliterate is a key measure of progress in Goal 4 of our strategic plan, content area competence, and we are proud of each of you for your outstanding achievement!

 

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Decatur High School scholar's artwork selected for the City of Federal Way's Traffic Graphic program

Congratulations to Decatur High School scholar Samantha Mendoza-Rojas whose artwork was selected for the City of Federal Way’s Traffic Graphic program. Samantha, please come forward to be recognized.

Samantha shared she was inspired by “The Little Prince” and wanted the artwork to convey childhood, imagination and wonder. Samantha’s artwork can be found on the utility boxes located at corner of 320th St. and 11th Pl. S. in Federal Way.

Samantha, we are proud of your dedication to the arts which supports strategic plan Goal 3: engaged, empowered, critical thinkers. Congratulations!

 

 

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Sequoyah Middle School Jazz Band placed at the Bellevue High School Jazz Festival

Sequoyah Middle School Jazz Band has placed third at the Bellevue High School Jazz Festival! This festival draws 25 middle school and 24 high school jazz bands from around the northwest. This is the first time the Sequoyah Jazz Band program’s history has participated in a competitive jazz festival.

Would the Sequoyah Jazz Band please come forward to be recognized? We welcome Band Director Chris Leslie and other administrators to come forward too.

These accomplishments are in direct support of strategic plan Goal 3: engaged, empowered, critical thinkers. Please join me in congratulating these scholar-musicians!